The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the declaration on Friday at the Virtual Stakeholders’ Forum on the Draft A2P Licensing Framework.

Maida’s speech was delivered at the occasion by the Ag. Head, Legal & Regulatory Services of NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte.

During the presentation, the EVC emphasized the importance of A2P messaging, saying it played a vital role in today’s digital world.

“It has become the go-to platform for businesses to send notifications, whether transactional, promotional, or service-related, directly to consumers. From bank alerts and healthcare reminders to promotional campaigns and government updates, A2P messaging drives efficiency, enhances communication, and supports our socio-economic development,” he said.

He stated that the NCC’s strategic focus was centred on three key stakeholders: the government, consumers, and the industry—our licensees.

Each of the stakeholders, he said, played a vital role in the success of the A2P messaging platform.

He explained: “For the government, A2P messaging is a powerful tool for communication with citizens, enabling the efficient delivery of public services and information.

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“For consumers, it guarantees timely, secure, and reliable access to essential updates and services.

“For the industry, it creates opportunities for businesses and service providers to innovate, drive competition, and achieve sustainable growth.”

The NCC boss declared that despite its undeniable value, the international A2P messaging space in Nigeria faced significant challenges, including consumer protection, fraud prevention, and ensuring industry fairness.

He said the gaps had led to issues such as fraud, spam, data privacy concerns, and an unequal distribution of value across the ecosystem.

He explained that such challenges not only affected businesses and consumers but also posed a threat to the sustainable growth and potential of the crucial communication tool.

“This forum marks a pivotal step toward addressing these challenges. Today we will be presenting the proposed regulatory framework for A2P messaging to you, our valued stakeholders, for deliberation. This framework represents our commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring that all players in the value chain operate in a fair, transparent, and secure environment,” he said.

He added: “At the NCC, we firmly believe that effective regulation stems from inclusivity and collaboration. This forum is an opportunity for all of us—operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers—to engage in meaningful discussions. We want to hear from you—your perspectives, experiences, and recommendations—so that together, we can refine this framework to ensure it meets the needs of all of us.”

He reiterated the commitment of the NCC to providing a regulatory environment that “supports innovation, protects stakeholders, and ensures that our telecommunications sector continues to thrive.”

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The win for Joshua meant he kept himself on track for a lucrative payday against American Deontay Wilder next year.

Helenius, stepping in after Britain’s Dillian Whyte was ruled out of the non-title fight by a dope test a week ago, lasted longer than expected.

But he crashed to the canvas one minute and 27 seconds into the round.

Some of the crowd at London’s 02, who had grown restless with some booing already in the third round, were heading for the exit by then as Joshua failed to deliver immediate fireworks.

The big Briton looked nervous and stiff at the start and strangely tentative when Helenius, who fought in Finland only a week ago, appeared to be out on his legs and ready for the taking.

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Joshua climbed straight out of the ring without saying a word after referee Victor Loughlin stopped the contest.

He then fist-bumped fans, stopping to share a swig of a drink with watching former UFC champion Conor McGregor, before stepping back inside the ropes.

Helenius meanwhile received medical attention and some oxygen before getting back on his feet.

“I knew this would happen, everyone’s talking about the new AJ and the old AJ.

“And after two or three rounds the crowd starts to get a little bit impatient.

“He finds the measure of his right hand and he delivers one of the knockouts of the year on Robert Helenius… this is just the AJ you’re going to see now.

“He still got to be more aggressive than we saw tonight but there’s a lot on the line,” Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, told reporters.

The knockout was the 23rd of Joshua’s career, taking his record to 26 wins and three defeats, but his first since December 2020.

This was when he beat Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in a WBA, IBO, IBF and WBO title defence in London.

Joshua lost those belts to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021.

There has been talk of Joshua fighting Wilder, the former WBC champion, next year.

But the Briton needs to keep winning to be talked about in the same breath as the American and reigning champion, Tyson Fury.

“It’s hard for him to get up for fights like this. The Wilder fights, the Fury fights, that’s what he wants,” said Hearn.

Source: Reuters/NAN

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In his first fight on British soil since August 2018, Fury was treated to a hero’s welcome by a 94,000 capacity crowd in London.

He thereafter largely dictated the tempo before ending proceedings in a devastating fashion.

A vicious uppercut caught Whyte flush on the chin before he was disdainfully pushed over on to his back.

But while the mandatory challenger beat the count, referee Mark Lyson waved off the fight.

Whyte could have few complaints at a halt being called with just one second remaining before the fight reached the midway point.

He was clearly on unsteady legs after the bout’s first significant strike.

Fury (now 32-0-1, 23KOs) was able to use his considerable height and reach advantage to keep Whyte at bay.

The challenger was made to look clumsy and cumbersome in contrast to his foe.

Whyte, cut over his right eye after an accidental clash of heads, was first installed as the WBC’s number one contender nearly four years ago.

But he was unable to impose himself as he found himself tied up whenever he attempted to close the distance.

Source: dpa/NAN

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